National Day of Unplugging
Do you have multiple cell phones? Constantly Snapchatting every move and finding it hard to get through a meaningful conversation without adding to your story? We increasingly miss out on the valuable moments of our lives as we pass the hours with our faces buried in our iPhones, documenting our every move through social media and shielding ourselves from the outside world, where real connections happen. If you notice these mannerisms in yourself – or your friends & family, it may be worth committing to the National Day of Unplugging. It is a 24-hour period – running from sundown to sundown which starts on March 3. Take this day to carve out precious time to unplug, relax, reflect, be active, visit the outdoors, and connect with loved ones.
NATIONAL DAY OF UNPLUGGING ACTIVITIES
1.Put Your Phone in a Box for 24 Hours
That’s right. Challenge yourself to leave your phone unattended for a full 24 hours. See how much you’re able to focus on being present, and in the moment of things without constant notifications distracting you.
2.Throw a Dance Party
Dancing not only increases your endorphins, which boosts your mood, but it’s also a great form of cardiovascular exercise. Salsa it out, do the twist or bust a move. You’ll be astonished at how much more energy you have after a few groove sessions.
3.Volunteer to Help Others
Volunteering is not only good for the community, but it’s also good for your well-being too. Selfless acts of kindness have been linked to a longer life and reduced stress in humans. Boost your happiness levels today while unplugging!
WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL DAY OF UNPLUGGING
A. Powering down removes unhealthy feelings of jealousy due to social media.
Research shows that 1 in 3 people feel worse after visiting social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, and are overall more dissatisfied with their lives. To be honest, not every interaction with social media is a negative one. But typically, our own experience validates their research. Powering down for a healthy period provides ample time to recalibrate oneself and refocus appreciation and gratitude for the lives we have been given, by living life presently.
B. Unplugging combats the phenomenon of FOMO
FOMO – a.k.a. the fear of missing out.has been recognized as a recently emerging psychological disorder brought on by tech advances. Our social media streams are ever-populated with everything happening all around us. Within this constant stream of notifications, our fear of missing out continues to grow. Turning off social media and finding contentment in our present space is a healthy alternative.
C. Life – at its best, is happening right in front of you
Every day is different from the last. These experiences rarely repeat themselves. Daily conversations are unfiltered and authentic. But if we are too busy with our noses buried in the latest Snapchat story feed, or constantly checking what’s trending on Twitter, we’re gonna miss all of it.
References:
“National Day of Unplugging” │ https://nationaltoday.com/national-day-unplugging/